Koi Sushi and Thai, Velvet Taco and Shokku Ramen are no longer participating in the Taste of Nashville program. The three restaurants left the program due to a contract renegotiation with Vanderbilt, a temporary suspension of membership and a store closure, respectively.

Koi Sushi and Thai was taken off the program due to a renegotiation between the owner of the restaurant and the university, according to Koi Sushi employee Jessa Mae. Meanwhile, Velvet Taco manager Colin Bloomer told the Hustler that the restaurant’s absence from the program is likely only temporary.

“We’re still working out some kinks in the food and beverage policy, but we definitely hope to rejoin the Taste of Nashville program next year,” Bloomer said.

Recently, the university announced that students can now purchase a maximum of two alcoholic beverages at Taste of Nashville restaurants, so long as they are made alongside a food purchase. Campus Dining stated that this aligns with the university’s policy on alcohol and other drugs and that restaurants should verify the ages of customers.

According to Bloomer, Velvet Taco is currently looking into amending the policy to exclude alcoholic beverages from Meal Money-eligible purchases as part of their efforts to rejoin Taste of Nashville, though no decisions have been made as of publication.

Shokku Ramen closed its Hillsboro Village location over Summer 2023 and plans to reopen on July 27, 2027, per its Yelp page. The restaurant responded to The Hustler’s initial request for comment but did not send a statement as of publication.

The Taste of Nashville program allocates money each semester for students to spend at participating Nashville restaurants within walking distance of campus. The fund allocations include $225 for first-years, $275 for sophomores and juniors and $325 for seniors. 

The decision to end participation in the Taste of Nashville program can be made by either the university or the partner restaurant at any time, according to an email sent to The Hustler by Campus Dining. The program has 44 currently participating restaurants.

Senior Jeremy Xu expressed disappointment in the removal of these restaurants from the program. 

“In my opinion, there aren’t that many restaurants around campus with high-quality food, but Koi is probably my favorite, and my friends like it too,” Xu said. “I know they have I Love Sushi and Sushi 88 on the card now, but Koi is both better quality with better prices too, so it’s just sad that one of the only restaurants on the card that I like got taken off.”

Similarly, junior Megan Everson noted that losing the late-night hours of Velvet Taco will negatively affect students’ food choices outside of typical dining times.

“Being one of the only restaurants on the card that’s open late (even on weekdays), it was a staple for a delicious midnight snack,” Everson said. “Also, by being on the card it was much more financially accessible than other late-night alternatives which do not accept Meal Money. What makes the situation even more frustrating is not seeing any attempts to fill this gap in the Meal Money market.”